A signed poster, ‘A Tribute to the Heroes of September 11th,’ will be auctioned off on Ebay through Thursday, Sept. 12, with all proceeds benefiting Arlington’s CrisisLink. The poster was donated to CrisisLink by Arlington County Treasurer Francis O’Leary in June 2002 for the purpose of being auctioned off to raise funds for the organization. The photograph was taken several days following Sept. 11 as firefighters draped the American flag over the side of the Pentagon building. A copy of the original photograph was reproduced and signed by firefighters, police officers and Sheriff’s deputies who responded to the attack on the Pentagon. The photograph may be viewed by going to http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2137417097. CrisisLink’s programs and services include a 24-hour suicide and crisis hotline, community crisis response program, youth outreach and public education initiatives. Call 703-527-6603 or visit www.crisislink.org.
Arlington residents are invited to share their 9-11 experiences and commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks at a community support event sponsored by the Community Resilience Project. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 11, from 4:30-5:45 p.m., in Room 6, at the Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St.
In addition to this event, the organization and the Arlington Housing Corp. are co-sponsoring “A Room to Reflect” in four locations throughout the county. “Rooms” will be open from 6-7:30 p.m., at Harvey Hall, 860 Greenbriar St.; Woodbury Park, 2335 N. 11th St.; Ft. Henry, 2470 S. Lowell St.; and Virginia Gardens, 1716 S. Taylor St. Light refreshments will be served. Offered as a quiet place to reflect on the attacks of 9-11, mental health counselors will be available for those interested in talking to someone individually.
The Community Resilience also invites residents to visit their Web site, located at www.communityresilience. com. Click on the “Your Story” link to write about personal 9-11 experiences. Stories are screened before being posted and all stories are kept anonymous.
Arlington County’s government Web site will collect and archive citizen participation for the Sept. 11 commemoration. Individuals and groups are encouraged to log on to www.co.arlington.va.us/sept11 to submit personal remembrances and record their planned commemorative activities. Specific pages on the site are designated for “Citizens,” “Businesses” and “Civic Associations.” Visitors may also leave personal messages for Arlington’s first responders and heroes.
An open house on career opportunities in technology-based business and electronics fields, as well as educational programs, will be held at DeVry University’s Crystal City location, 2341 Jefferson Davis Highway, on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. DeVry offers bachelor’s degree programs in electronics, engineering technology, computer engineering technology, computer information systems, tele- communications management, business administration and information technology. Call 866-338-7932 or visit www.devry.edu.
The Opera Guild of Northern Virginia will hold its annual Season-Opening Awards Brunch on Sunday, Sept. 15 at noon at the Army-Navy Country Club, 2400 18th St. South. Presentations will be made for Singer of the Year, Music Educators of the Year and special recognition to two child stars, Emily Marsh and Muriel MacDonald, both of Arlington. The event includes a buffet brunch. A portion of the $36 admission ($32 for guild members) goes toward the guild's goal of affordable opera and musical education in the Washington area. Call 703-536-7557.
The Arlington Community Temporary Shelter (TACTS) with host sponsor Freddie Mac and special guest, TV journalist Beverly Burke, will host its Second Annual Benefit Golf Tournament on Thursday, Sept. 19, at Pleasant Valley Golfers Club, 4715 Pleasant Valley Road in Chantilly, Va. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Both men and women are encouraged to play at a cost of $100 per person which includes greens fees, cart, range balls, lunch, dinner and prizes. The deadline for registration is Friday, Sept. 13. Visit www.tacts.org or call 703-522-8858.
Arlington County 4-H, a youth development organization, will hold a two-hour training session for adult 4-H prospective leaders of youth groups ages 5-19, on Saturday, Sept. 14. Topics will include an Introduction to 4-H, 4-H in Arlington, getting started as a leader and ideas for projects and activities. The session will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the offices of Arlington Cooperative Extension, 3308 Stafford St., Room 15. Refreshments will be served. The training is free, but reservations are requested in advance. Call Louise Van Horne at 703-228-6404.
Madison Senior Center, 3829 N. Stafford St., will celebrate the grand opening of its new fitness center on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 9-11 a.m. Seniors may watch or participate in fitness exercises, Tai Chi and use the new state-of-the-art fitness machines and aerobic equipment. Newcomers are welcome. Meet Esther Clark and Josh Patulski, certified fitness instructors, and learn about the senior strength training program. Call 703-228-5285.
The Northern Virginia Park Authority is seeking volunteers to don work gloves on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 28, from 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m. at Upton Hill Regional Park, 6060 Wilson Blvd., at the intersection of Patrick Henry Drive and Wilson Boulevard. Complimentary beverages and lunch will be provided at the site. Call Joe Zilincar at the Bureau of Land Management at 703-440-1717.
Volunteers are also needed to plant a butterfly garden at the Washington & Old Dominion Trail’s new western Arlington way station, between Lee Highway and Little Falls Road. Call to register in advance at 703-276-1220 or email wodtrail@erols. com.
“Paws for a Cause” will be held Sunday, Sept. 29, from 1-5 p.m. in the plaza at Pentagon Row, located at the corner of Army Navy Drive and South Joyce Street. Festivities will include a gala parade of pets, pet beauty contest, pet talent contest and more. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and judging will take place at 2 p.m. Ten percent of receipts dated 09/29/02 brought to the plaza will go toward the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. Call 703-931-9241. Visit http://www.AWLA.org.
The Arlington Host Lions will hold a Barbecue Dinner on Friday, Sept. 27, from 5-8 p.m., at the Memorial Baptist Church, 3455 N. Glebe Road. The dinner will include pork, beef and chicken barbecue, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, dessert and beverages. All proceeds benefit local charities such as, the Salavation Army, Babe Ruth Baseball youth teams, sight-saving programs and the Arlington Free Clinic. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 703-671-8830.
The Arlington Historical Society’s Bell Ringer Campaign is seeking contributions for the Acorn Fund, which supports the society’s operations. Send a check to the Arlington Historical Museum, P. O. Box 402, Arlington, VA 22210, Attention of Sy Stiss.
Tiny Tots and Preschool Programs are available at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, 703-228-6535, and Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Road, 703-228-3403 . Programs are designed for children 1 1/2 to 2 years of age and preschool children. Morning and afternoon events available. There is a $1 fee per child, payable on the day of the program. Reservations should be made by phone during the month the program is offered.